It’s time to start thinking about Christmas dinner, and good wine to pair with that festive meal.
Carignane holds its own with rich turkey and duck; it’s also perfect with roasted pork and various beef dishes. And the varietal makes a nice change from other red wines.
Martin Ranch Winery’s 2020 Carignane ($40)—with grapes from Victoria Denice Vineyard in the Santa Clara Valley—is perfect to have on hand over the holidays. Its “hints of bright raspberry and brambleberry, with a middle of rich Hungarian oak and a whisper of cinnamon” add flavor and dimension to any meal.
Thèrése and Dan Martin own and operate their beautiful winery—and visiting Martin Ranch is a delightful experience. As well as Thèrése Vineyards wines, two other labels by Martin Ranch are J.D. Hurley and Soulmate. There’s certainly a plentiful array of different wines to choose from. Mix and Match specials are offered too—starting at $89 for three bottles.
Dan Martin now roasts his own brand of J.D. Hurley coffee beans, which are packed and sealed in 12-ounce bags. Try some coffee when you visit.
Martin Ranch Winery, 6675 Redwood Retreat Road, Gilroy, 408-842-9197. Martinranchwinery.com
Holiday Gift Ideas
Thinking about stocking stuffers? Here are a few ideas: Nat’s Nuts are delish, and they come in different flavors. Try Maple Bourbon Almonds, Vanilla Rum Cashews or Salted Caramel Cashews—all good and crunchy! Natsnuts.com. … Rowdy Crowd has put out some unbreakable drinkware for wine, champagne, beer, cocktails and soft drinks. They are recyclable and dishwasher safe. Rowdycrowd.com. … Mocktail Club gives us alcohol-free “mocktails” such as Capri Spritz, Havana Twist, Bali Breeze, Bombay Fire, and more. Ideal if you don’t want a buzz or hangover the day after. Mocktailclub.com.
In the past, visitors at Seacliff State Beach could gaze upon the S.S. Palo Alto, the famed concrete ship at the end of the equally famous wharf.
Relentless waves and occasional storms over time have destroyed the wharf, and the ship remains a local landmark despite being pounded into little more than a pile of rubble.
But one thing has not changed: the spectacular vantage point from the high cliffs that gives visitors an unobstructed view across the ocean to Monterey, about 30 miles to the south.
That could change after the Trump Administration on Nov. 20 announced plans to drill for oil along the West Coast—including all along California.
It is not yet clear where the oil rigs would be placed. But the idea has many worried they will become an eyesore and a possible source of pollution.
The nonprofit Save Our Shores has voiced strong opposition to the plan, saying it “places West Coast communities, economies, and coastal ecosystems at unacceptable risk.”
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s newly released Five-Year Offshore Drilling Plan (5YP), targets California waters for the first new oil and gas lease sales in four decades, Save Our Shores stated in a press release.
The plan outlines six proposed lease sales off California between 2027 and 2030, two of which are off the Central Coast.
“California has learned painful lessons from past spills, and our communities should never again be forced to bear the consequences of decisions made far from our coastline,” said Save Our Shores Executive Director Katie Thompson. “This plan is reckless, unnecessary, and completely out of step with what Californians want. We’re committed to doing everything in our power to defend our coast and the people who depend on it.”
The Department of the Interior said the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program—planned to be launched by October 2026—reflects the administration’s commitment to “restoring American energy dominance.”
In a press release, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said that the Biden administration “slammed the brakes” on offshore oil and gas leasing.
“By moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America’s offshore industry stays strong, our workers stay employed, and our nation remains energy dominant for decades to come,” Burgum said.
Save Our Shores says that expanding offshore drilling puts the state’s coastal regions at risk of oil leaks and spills, which could shut down beaches, harm wildlife, disrupt tribal cultural practices, halt fishing operations and devastate local businesses that rely on the beaches.
“It is sickening to learn that the Trump administration has relaunched the outer continental shelf oil and gas leasing program, but not surprising,” said Santa Cruz County Supervisor Justin Cummings. “This is why we have been building a local government coalition to fight back against these efforts, and fight back we will.”
Supervisor Kim De Serpa agreed.
“We are standing shoulder to shoulder to fight against the administration’s plan to drill for oil off the entire coast of California,” she said. “I feel certain that supervisors in Central Coast counties and throughout California will stand together to protect our coastal waters, support our state and federal representatives, and stop this action. We continue to insist on protection of our coastlines and waters, our tourism industry and fisheries, and our marine mammals and all creatures in our Pacific Ocean.”
Save Our Shores points out that the state’s major industries—tourism, recreation, shipping, research, sustainable fisheries, and marine-dependent small businesses—all are at risk from the plans.
In response, the organization has reinvigorated the “Blue Wall,” a network of local zoning protections that restrict or require voter approval for onshore infrastructure tied to offshore drilling.
This strategy, first developed in the 1980s, empowered coastal communities to prevent the onshore facilities that offshore oil operations require.
Current actions include the following:
• Partnering with cities and counties to update existing ordinances and incorporate protections against supporting infrastructure for both offshore oil and seabed mining.
• Supporting statewide coordination through renewed local government efforts to oppose new federal offshore leasing.
• Expanding the Blue Wall to regions that did not previously face offshore development pressure but are newly included in federal plans.
“Local governments helped stop offshore drilling once before, and they can do it again,” Thompson said. “We’re building on decades of successful grassroots leadership to ensure California’s coast remains protected for future generations.”
Call for Public Action
Save Our Shores is urging residents to participate in the upcoming federal public comment period, which opened on Nov. 24 and will last through Jan. 23, 2026.
There are two ways to oppose the plan.
• Visit Regulations.gov, and refer to Docket ID: BOEM-2025-0483 to submit comments.
• Write to Ms. Kelly Hammerle, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (VAM-LD), 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166-9216.
Label the envelope “Comments for the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program.”
We’re two weeks into the Santa Cruz Gives fundraising event, which runs until Dec. 31. First, Good Times writer DNA shares why he supports Save Our Shores. Following that, other nonprofits share their “elevator pitch” for what they plan to do with the money they raise. To donate to any of the 72 participating nonprofits, visit santacruzgives.org.
Since its grassroots beginnings in 1978, Save Our Shores has been an integral part of protecting the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary—a geological wonder, with its deepest canyon being two and half miles deep. Just off the coastline are majestic gray whales, splendid orcas, enormous elephant seals, intelligent dolphins, iconic brown pelicans, prowling sharks, flying rays, and leatherback turtles. The Monterey Bay is a wonder of the world.
Multiple times a year, Save Our Shores staff, and hundreds of volunteers take to our beaches to clean up the garbage that is left behind by knucklehead tourists and unthoughtful locals. Tons of garbage that would otherwise reach the bay is collected and properly disposed of by Save Our Shores.
Besides the hands-on-the-sand cleanups, Save Our Shores activists seek greater change. In August of this year, the Capitola City Council banned filtered tobacco products. Note that over the last decade, Save Our Shores has cleaned up over 15,000 nonbiodegradable and poisonous cigarette filters in Capitola alone. Along the Monterey Bay smoking-related waste makes up 25% of everything picked up. Yet this important change won’t come into effect until at least two other counties adopt the same provisions.[1]
In other words, positive change takes time, and time is money—and money is something you can provide to this worthy nonprofit.
Back in the 1970s, Harold Bell worked with the United States Forest Service to create Woodsy Owl, a mascot whose catch phrase was “Give a hoot, don’t pollute.” But the trash keeps piling up. In 2024, the U.S. produced 300 million pounds of garbage. Scaled down, we each produce a few pounds of garbage each day. And much of that garbage ends up in our bay.
In these uncertain times we need to make sure the most vulnerable are protected. Be a hero for the salmon, rockfish, whales, dolphins and squid. There are 525 fish species that need a human to step up and block the other humans hellbent on destroying one of our most important resources: the ocean.
Avoid capital gains taxes by donating stock. Or name Save Our Shores as a beneficiary in your will, or estate plans. Let your legacy be a beautiful coastline.
ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH NONPROFIT GROUPS
Bird School Project—“It reminds me of when students spot their first bird through the binoculars, something changes—the world opens up. Through bird watching, local youth discover wonder in their own neighborhoods, pride in the wild places they call home, and a sense of belonging that lasts far beyond the schoolyard. The Bird School Project empowers youth to see themselves as part of the natural world and to care for it.” —Jessica Correa, executive director
Coastal Watershed Council—“The Coastal Watershed Council serves as a voice for the San Lorenzo River and works to help Santa Cruz re-embrace this vital natural resource in the center of our Downtown. Each year, CWC leads community volunteers in hands-on river habitat restoration, empowers Santa Cruz youth to become the next generation of environmental stewards, and builds relationships with river neighbors to visit the Santa Cruz Riverwalk. Seven decades after the devastating 1955 Christmas flood reshaped Santa Cruz’s relationship with the San Lorenzo, we are seeing positive transformation unfold as the buildings of Downtown reconnect to the Riverwalk and our community remembers Santa Cruz is a river town at its heart.” —Erin Loury, communications manager
Dientes—“Through our Affordable Care for All program, we’re opening doors to lasting oral health for families who need it most and creating pathways to brighter futures as we meet growing community need with compassion and care. Your support builds a vibrant community where health isn’t determined by wealth—where every child unlocks their full potential, every family experiences the dignity of high-quality accessible care, and lasting oral health becomes a fundamental right, not a privilege.” —Elena Kelly, development and communications associate
Farm Discovery—“Hunger is no stranger in the Pajaro Valley, where one in five people in Santa Cruz County lives with it, and one in four children goes to bed not knowing what tomorrow’s meal will be. On a small organic farm in Watsonville, Farm Discovery at Live Earth is fighting back with spirit and grit , growing good food and sharing it with those who need it most. We’re feeding our neighbors while growing the next generation of community leaders rooted in hope and the soil.” —Garrett Hambaro, development manager
Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services—Pediatric cancer touches 124 children and their families (548 individuals) in Santa Cruz County alone, surrounding them with fear and isolation. Camp Heart + Hands gives these families a place to breathe again, offering a weekend where cancer takes a backseat to laughter, music, and the magic of community outside of hospital walls. It’s more than a camp; it’s healing, belonging, and hope in action.” —Alicia Diaz-Infante, grants and impact data specialist
Monarch Services/Servicios Monarca—“Last year, Monarch Services’ Campos Seguros outreach provided over 1,600 farmworkers with trauma-informed intervention and prevention services, financial aid and support with housing, counseling, and immigration legal help—offered directly at work during their lunch break and, regardless of immigration status. With federal funding ending in 2025, this trusted outreach program needs local support to keep showing up for families who might otherwise remain unseen and unheard.” —Janna Rivas, director of development
Watsonville Wetlands Watch—“Watsonville middle school students will engage in on-campus environmental action including food waste diversion and composting, litter cleanups, school greening and peer outreach, with mentoring from high school students. Watsonville Wetlands Watch staff will serve as school greening club advisors, developing young environmental leaders and offering skill-building, hands-on service learning opportunities that support student and environmental health.” —Brooke Sampson, development and communications director
A group of Capitola seniors needed to think outside the box when it came time to cover the cost for new solar panels at their social center. The panels were installed last month at a cost of approximately $67,000, but even with funding through potential grants, donations and federal tax credits, the center still needs to raise an additional $17,000.
That’s when ADAMM was born.
ADAMM—A Dollar A Minute Massage—is held Mondays from 9am to 3:30pm at Mid-County Senior Center. Since its humble beginnings, the fundraiser has generated more than $1,000 for the initiative.
Major funding for the solar panels was allocated in a grant from the county, along with $5,000 in member donations and a 30% federal tax credit, according to Kurt Jewell, MCSC board president. “We have 36 panels up there, and it’s expandable,” Jewell says.
Certified massage therapists Susan Raay and Tony Alonzo are donating their time and talents for the ADAMM program, available to all ages, 18 and up. Appointments run anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.
Massage therapists use three modalities, according to Alonzo, who also serves on the MCSC board of directors. Effleurage is the long, gliding strokes commonly used in Swedish massage, and petrissage is a deeper massage technique, along with tapotement, a tapping motion, he said.
The benefits of massage include reduced stress and anxiety, and improved blood circulation and flexibility. Massage therapy that targets specific muscles is also effective for short-term pain relief.
“We know with touch there’s that connection,” Alonzo says. “There’s the receiving and the giving of energy, so we need more of that. … Especially as we age, we don’t get touched. There’s a lot of reasons why.”
Raay’s previous experience includes massage at Green Valley Athletic Club and in a chiropractor’s office. “I was certified in ’79, and I’ve been working ever since,” she says.
Jewell says the initiative has been well-received. “I told him I had bulging discs down in my back, and he got right down in there,” local customer Elaine Nicholson, 78, said of Alonzo’s technique.
The center is already saving about $20 to $30 a day in electricity costs. “We are not going in the hole on this deal,” Jewell says. “Today we will generate about 60 kilowatts, which is about $25 in savings. It’s going to pay for itself in about six and a half years, and then we’ll be in the pink.”
MCSC contracted with local company Sandbar Solar & Electric. “They were very professional,” Jewell says. “They did an excellent job.”
MCSC is located at 829 Bay Ave., Capitola. For appointments, call 831-476-4711.
Like the king tides, winter with its myriad rituals and parties comes around each year. Solstice, Chanukah, Christmas—they all bring pleasure, memories and special gifts. It’s the season that gives us countless cozy Hollywood films, endless opportunities to decorate (house, garden, pets, self), and an excuse to indulge in rampant illumination (trees, candles, self).
Now’s the time to dust off family traditions and rituals, the ways we make sure this season is always special. The color red pops up a lot right about now, making even the most familiar corners of your living space vibrant—or at least gaudy. And the food: robust seasonings like cinnamon and caraway, large-scale buffets and dinners, and almost always something sweet. Time for those flavors you’ve waited all year to dive into. In my house the holidays call for marathon baking—cookies, bundt cakes, pies topped with whipped cream. The whole house smells fantastic. Every wintery meal glows by candlelight, so don’t forget the candles!
Aside from ceremonies at home, there are other highly anticipated local activities in the month of December. ’Tis the season to join friends at concerts, theatrical productions and other shared performances. And then there are treasure hunts for perfect gifts, which in Santa Cruz means one-of-a-kind handmade gifts from the many holiday markets popping up.
Holidaying is more fun when you have some direction—so here it is: a list of the local cultural events, festivals, silly contests, parades, wine tastings, art markets, visits with Santa, and engaging fun for children and families. For children, and those who never got around to growing up.
SUITE TREAT Santa Cruz Dance Theater serves its Nutcracker Dec. 20–21 at the Civic Auditorium. Photo: Santa Cruz Dance Theater
Music, Stage and More
A Scrooge for all ages, a choice of mixed Nutcrackers, a wintry pop-sicle from Santa Cruz Symphony, Cabrillo sings Christmas, and a variety of musical acts.
A Christmas Carol—Through Dec. 24 at Veterans Memorial Hall, 846 Front St., Santa Cruz. Once again, Santa Cruz Shakespeare invites us into the heart of the Christmas spirit with a sprightly, song-filled enactment of Charles Dickens’ beloved Christmas Carol, starring Mike Ryan as Scrooge and Julie James as many of Dickens’ colorful characters. Returning players include Charlotte Munson and Andrea Sweeney Blanco, with musical direction by the inventive Luke Shepherd. Gorgeous staging—thanks to Charles Pasternak and Alicia Gibson—and beautiful music sung by the entire cast. santacruzshakespeare.org
Music for the Feast of Christmas—Dec. 5–6, 8pm; Dec. 7, 4pm. Holy Cross Church, 210 High St., Santa Cruz. Tradition sung with heart and many many voices as new music director Carlin Truong leads the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus and Cabrillo Youth Chorus through this annual event. cabrillochorus.org
Windham Hill Winter Solstice—Dec. 6, 7pm.Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz.Grammy nominee Barbara Higbie joins Vicki Randle and Mia Pixley for a lilting celebration with plenty of warmth, joy, and sensational piano, fiddle, cello and vocals. kuumbwajazz.org
Mike Renwick’s Holiday Deluxe—Dec. 10, 7:30pm. Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy. 9, Felton. Mike Renwick is at it again, joined by Ander Chmut for an evening of schmoozing, dancing, hanging out and grooving to plenty of old-school R&B, rock and soul. Mike is often joined by Tower of Power veterans and Santana sidemen. So expect to have a blast up at the Felton Music Hall (once upon a time Costella’s Chalet). feltonmusichall.com
Concert for a Winter’s Eve—Dec. 12, 8pm, Carmel Mission Basilica; Dec. 13, 8pm, at Holy Cross Church, 210 High St., Santa Cruz. For discerning traditionalists, this seasonal feast of fine choral music comes thanks to the Cantiamo Cabrillo chamber chorus, under the direction of Carlin Truong. cabrillochorus.org
Santa Cruz Symphony Holiday Concert—Dec. 13 7:30pm; Dec. 14, 1pm. Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz. Holiday music performed by a top-notch symphony orchestra is the stuff of memories for the whole family. Which is why maestro Danny Stewart and the Santa Cruz Symphony offer a winter pops program. This special holiday concert is infused with treasured classics, such as selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, and a sweetly nostalgic Symph-Hanukkah, plus holiday music by Leroy Anderson and plenty of singalong opportunities. A photo station will tempt you to pose for a picture with Santa Claus. santacruzsymphony.org
Merry Mex-mas with El Vez—Dec. 17, 8pm. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. Are you ready for some mariachi, glam rock, punk and Mexican ballads? If you like your holiday music on the uninhibited side, make plans to inhale the R&B vibes of El Vez—the Mexican Elvis—and rockabilly trio The Centuries, along with LA’s Duderella. Lots of costuming and shape-shifting. moesalley.com
Tomaséen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas—Dec. 18, 7:30pm. UCSC Music Center Recital Hall, 402 McHenry Rd., Santa Cruz. Spend an evening with the Irish storyteller, who is touring with an ensemble of Celtic musicians, dancers and singers. For more information, call 831-566-2081.eventbrite.com
Flynn Creek Circus—Dec. 18–Jan. 4. Capitola Mall, 1855 41st Ave., Capitola. The circus is in town, presenting The Bridge, an original, child-pleasing tale filled with fairytale characters and highwire stunts. flynncreekcircus.ticketspice.com
A John Prine Christmas—Dec. 19, 7:30pm. Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. The Jenner Fox Band’s sit-down show of stunning, moody, delicious music by beloved composer/singer John Prine makes a splendid holiday outing, or a holiday gift for your significant others. feltonmusichall.com
The Trolley Drops Holiday Show—Dec. 19, 5:30pm. Discretion Brewery, 2703 41st Ave., Suite A, Soquel. Tongue-in-cheek jug band tunes, plus a whole new batch of holiday Twistmas Carols: folk, pop, rock and jazz standards with seasonally themed lyrics. You can even sing along with these charmers. discretionbrewing.com
Christmas with Chorale—Dec. 20, 8pm; Dec. 21, 4pm. Holy Cross Church, 126 High St., Santa Cruz.Widely considered the region’s premier choral ensemble, the Santa Cruz Chorale, under the direction of Christian Grube, performs legendary music from legendary composers. Fifty voices strong, the Chorale offers exquisite versions of Yuletide music from the world over. Arvo Pärt’s Magnificat and Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium will be performed, as well as Renaissance Glorias and carols from Lithuania, Spain, Germany, England, Latvia and the US. Here’s a chance to lean into the heart of the Yule, even sing along with one or two favorites. Matchless music in the glorious acoustics of Holy Cross Church. santacruzchorale.org
Merry TubaChristmas—Dec. 20, 3pm. Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts, 250 E. Beach St, Watsonville. Nothing says Yuletide like the sound of a tuba. You knew that. But when you take several dozen tubas, and add the smaller but still mellow sounds of dozens of baritone euphoniums (look it up), you’ve got the season by the horns. tubachristmasmontereybay.com
Nutcracker: Experience The Magic—Dec. 20–21, 1 & 4:30pm. Crocker Theater, Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. The Santa Cruz City Ballet (at the International Academy of Dance) offers this holiday classic featuring very young dancers, as well as emerging stars who’ve graduated into pre-professional roles. Set on Christmas Eve, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite is filled with the magic of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen, Clara and her Nutcracker Prince, as well as assorted adorable creatures. Every youngster must see at least one performance in their young life. nutcrackersantacruz.com
Santa Cruz Dance Theater’s Nutcracker—Dec. 20, 9:30am, 1:30pm & 4:30pm; Dec. 21, 1:30 & 4:30pm. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz. Gorgeous costumes, irresistible music and a beloved winter fairytale danced into life by the Santa Cruz Dance Theater, directed by Conrad Useldinger. The two-hour production features Santa Cruz native Lucien Postlewaite, now principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet, dancing the Nutcracker Prince role. For the youngest ballet fans there’s the one-hour Petite Nutcracker production on Dec. 20 at 9:30am. santacruzdancetheater.org
CHRISTMAS DELIGHT Santa Cruz City Ballet’s Clara meets her Nutcracker at Cabrillo College’s Crocker Theater with performances Dec. 20-21. Photo: International Academy of Dance
Shopportunities
Stress-free shopping without a keyboard, courtesy of these homegrown gift crawls. Plus, other festivities, from tree lightings to wine tasting.
Heritage Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair—Dec. 5–6, noon–9pm, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Gifts galore fill the fairgrounds for the 48th year. Just so much to see and admire and crave that you’ll need Transcendental Meditation to stay calm as you roam the aisles bursting with craft tables and booths. Ornaments, toys, handknits, collectibles, jewelry, stuff you’ve never even dreamed of but absolutely MUST have. fairgrounds-foundation.org
First Friday Holiday Events—Dec. 5, beginning at 4pm, in many locations. Local artists offer tours, new exhibits, holiday markets and more. Visit the First Friday website for details, firstfridaysantacruz.com/event
Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale—Dec. 6, 8am–4pm. Start your day at the El Pajaro Community Development Corporation Kitchen Incubator (fresh local food and produce specialties), and then work your way around town to 15 outlets for wine, artisan jewelry, craft beer, botanical gifts, flowers leather goods and, of course, Driscoll’s Berry Store and Annieglass. Map online: watsonvilleholidayfactorysale.com
Holiday Native Arts Market—Dec. 6, 11am–6pm. Woman’s Club, 12 Brennan St., Watsonville. Organized by Native American artist Becky Olvera Schultz, the market features arts and crafts by indigenous artisans.
Frost Fest—Dec. 6, noon–5pm. Museum of Art and History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. Handmade creations, must-have gift shopping and schmoozing with local influencers, artisans and artists—all happening on the spacious ground floor of the MAH. santacruzmah.org
Holiday Market and Tree Lighting—Dec. 6, 1–4pm. Aptos Village. Don’t blink or you might miss the major tree lighting. But there’s lots more seasonal fun in the heart of Aptos. Hobnob with Santa, listen to live music, watch colorful performances, check out the wares of local artisans, and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. aptoschamber.com
Boulder Creek Winter Festival—Dec. 6, 2–6:30pm. Forest Street in downtown Boulder Creek. Holiday shopping with local artisans, community crafting, snow play area and a holiday hayride. bouldercreekwinterfestival.com
ParkStore Holiday Sale—Dec. 6–7, 10am–4pm, at four local parks: Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, Seacliff State Beach and Wilder Ranch State Park. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Executive Director Bonny Hawley says the holiday sale is “for shoppers looking for gifts that have meaning. It’s a chance to enjoy the season, while supporting the state parks and beaches we love.”
Art in the Cellars—Dec. 6–7, 11am–5pm. Bargetto Soquel Tasting Room, 3535 N. Main St., Soquel. More than 50 local artists and food vendors will congregate in Bargetto’s venerable cellars. Wine tasting with $25 festival glass. bargetto.com
Hallcrest Holiday Market—Dec. 7, 11am and beyond. Hallcrest Vineyards, 325 Felton Empire Rd, Felton. Come visit historic logging town Felton and taste what winemaker John Schumacher has been bottling. Besides gifts for the wine connoisseurs on your list, other vendors will be on hand, as well as live music and a guest appearance by Santa. facebook.com
Winter Art Mart—Dec. 13, 10am–5pm. Tannery Arts Center, 1050–1060 River St., Santa Cruz. A showcase for art studios, the Tannery Arts Center will host an open air market filled with a curated selection of very local, very handmade arts and crafts. One-of-a-kind delights abound. Free; plenty of parking. tanneryartscenter.org
Holiday Marathon Sale—Dec. 14, 11am–5pm. 5221 Coast Rd., Santa Cruz. Go for top-of-the-line, locally handmade gifts items with the crafty Look! collective’s annual sale. Ceramics, knits, prints, wearables, soaps, paintings and lots more, plus music and north coast fun. From Beth Sherman, Christina MacColl, Felicia Gilman, Dave Gardner, Bridget Henry, Janet Fine and plenty others. Watch for the signs! Bring your spending money and be prepared to be amazed.
Holiday Market—Dec. 14, 11am–3pm. Felton Covered Bridge Park, Felton. Tons of happy people mixing with arts and crafts booths, music, holiday lights, food and drink for a whole lot of atmospheric vibes on the old-timey covered bridge (built in 1892) over our very own San Lorenzo River. facebook.com
Paradox Holiday Market—Dec. 14, 11am–4pm. The White Rabbit Social Club brings vendors to the lively downtown hotel for an afternoon of retail therapy. wearethewhiterabbit.com
SEASONAL STAR Santa is making a number of pit stops this year. Pictured: a past visit at East Lake Village Shopping Center. Photo: Tarmo Hannula
Community Cheer
Light displays, ugly sweaters, a downtown parade, a Santa-laden pub crawl, and even the running of the reindeer—there’s something festive in every corner of Santa Cruz County.
Sparky’s Holiday Lights—Fri.–Sun. 5:30–9pm, plus bonus nights Dec. 22–24. Now in its fifth year, Sparky’s Holiday Lights draws people from around the county to drive through the lighted fairgrounds. Prices are $25 per vehicle at the gate ($40 for RVs and buses); walk-thrus will take place Dec. 4–6. In addition, Krampus Night will be Dec. 4 at Heritage Hall; tickets are $10 and include a walk-through of Sparky’s Holiday Lights. Funds raised benefit both the Agricultural History Project and the Fairgrounds Foundation. sparkysholidaylights.com
SantaCon 2025—Dec. 5, 6:30pm. Got a Santa handy? Well, bring him/her down to Abbott Square on First Friday and swing to this totally silly pub crawl featuring over a hundred other Santas. Can you say “photo op”? Music, dancing and all the usual/unusual colorful Xmas-themed goodies for sale. Free to attend. You bet. santacon.info
Market and Ugly Sweater Contest—Dec. 5, 5–8pm. Downtown Boulder Creek. Slap on your gaudiest sweater (possibly a gift from an in-law?) and head up to the heart of the redwoods for a full-service arts and crafts market. Free. bcba.net
Lighted Boat Parade—Dec. 6, 5:30pm. Santa Cruz South Harbor. Twinkling lights sailing and parading—exactly the sort of thing that Santa himself would love, especially when he’s all lit up too. A family event for sure, with hot drinks and snacks available throughout the south harbor, and the chance to gawk at more than 50 decorated sail and power boats. Includes a canned food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. Be there and bring something in a can. A beautiful seasonal tradition. Dress warmly! scyc.org
Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade—Dec. 6, 10am–noon. Starts at Laurel Street and Pacific Avenue, then wends toward Water Street. Grab hats, mittens and a sense of holiday humor, and join this short and boisterous downtown holiday parade. The unofficial kickoff to the shop-eat-drink-celebrate season, the processional will draw at least 3,000 other happy diehards who can’t get enough of group gathering, while musical groups from local schools march in colorful costumes, making holiday sounds. downtownsantacruz.com
Golden Envelope Promotion—Dec. 6–7 & 13–14, noon–4pm. Downtown Santa Cruz. Shoppers will be eligible to win one of 350 Golden Envelopes at participating downtown businesses. An undercover “Surprise Elf” will present the envelopes, which include various prizes. In addition, shoppers can enter to win more prizes during the Reindeer Roundup, running through Dec. 23 and sponsored by Pono Hawaiian Grill. Pick up a map at the Downtown Santa Cruz Information Kiosk or Pacific Cookie Company to find participating businesses.
Second Saturday on the Farm—Dec. 13, 11am–3pm. Agricultural History Project Center, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville. There will be holiday-themed crafts and activities for kids, such as cookie decorating, ornament making, games, and appearances by Santa and the Grinch. Admission is free but donations are gladly accepted.
Holiday Wine Tasting & Jazz—Dec. 13, 1–4pm. Roberts Ranch Vineyards, 875 Roberts Rd., Ben Lomond. Surround yourself with redwoods, red wine and red-nosed celebrants. For $49, enjoy charcuterie appetizers, wine tasting and the delicious sounds of the Steve Abrams Trio. Five current wines to sample along with wine-friendly finger food. Take home a few bottles for special gifts. Tasting only from $12.50. eventbrite.com
Noche de Brillo—Dec. 14, 2–7pm. 350 Main St., Watsonville. Noche de Brillo (Night of Sparkle) is a free, family-friendly evening with a snow play area, lights and holiday cheer. Also includes crafts hosted by local nonprofits, a holiday market, live entertainment, photos with Santa and a light parade at 5:30pm.
Messiah Sing-Along—Dec. 16, 7pm. Peace United Church of Christ, 900 High St., Santa Cruz. Easily one of the greatest feelgood events in town during the winter holiday season. Bring your well-worn score of Handel’s Messiah, and join every other singer in town plus a full orchestra under the baton of (allegedly retired) choral queen Cheryl Anderson. $30. peaceunited.org
Boulder Creek Reindeer Run—Dec. 24, 9am–noon. Junction Park, 13264 Middleton Ave., Boulder Creek. These full-body holiday aerobics will get endorphins blazing on Christmas Eve Day. Join other exercise obsessives, running, strolling, walking, jogging and otherwise moving in downtown Boulder Creek. Then everybody meets up at Junction Park, and the 5k race is on. Registration fees are $40–$45 (benefiting Boulder Creek Recreation and Park District Foundation). Serious and/or silly fun that will make new friends or reunite old ones. bouldercreekreindeerrun.com
HOLIDAY WORKOUT The Boulder Creek Reindeer Run takes place Dec. 24, 9am–noon. Photo: Contributed
Young and Younger
Sugar, spice and everything nice for pint-size revelers, plus multiple visits from Saint Nick.
Capitola Village Cookie Walk—Dec. 6, 11am. Stroll the village and fill up a basket with sweet treats from participating merchants. eventbrite.com
Breakfast with Santa—Dec. 6 & 13, 9am–11am. Got kids? Bring ’em on up to Chaminade’s Breakfast with Santa. A holiday buffet breakfast, a hilltop view, and having your picture taken with Santa—that’s the festive plan up at beautiful Chaminade. chaminade.com
Holiday Craft & Cocoa Event—Dec. 12, 6–8pm. For the third consecutive year, this Scotts Valley event essentially means that kids of all ages can have some fun holiday hang time making gifts, decorating cookies (cookies for sale/$2) and swilling hot cocoa. Materials provided and crafts are yours to take home. $5.
Breakfast With Santa—Dec. 13, 9am–noon. Of course Santa is coming to the Dream Inn. He loves watching the longboarders at Steamers, just like we do. The breakfast buffet is for everybody; the full bar is for the grownups. In addition to the merry old elf, there will be cookie decorating, arts and crafts, and face painting (you cannot have any family event in this town without face painting). And listen to a soothing Christmas story reading by Michelle Smart, from Vine Hill Elementary. dreaminnsantacruz.com
Holidays on the Ranch—Dec. 13, 11am–3pm. ’Tis the perfect season to step back in time, don some ranch dressing, and enjoy the old-fashioned Victorian atmosphere of Wilder Ranch State Park. Join in live caroling, sample traditional treats, explore the historic homes and watch the blacksmith and machine shop demos. Try your hand at wreaths and candles. Free, but parking is $10. thatsmypark.org
Holiday Market—Dec. 13, 9am–2pm. Simpkins Swim Center, 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz. It’s a winter waterland, with a dance performance and synchronized swimming routines by the water-loving County Parks lifeguard team. Admission is free, but tickets are needed for Breakfast with the Grinch, which includes pancakes, sausage, egg, muffins, juice and the chance to enter a raffle. Register for one of the two seatings: 9am or 10:15am. santacruz.org
Brunch with Santa at The Grove—Dec. 14, 9am–noon. Santa loves the Grove, especially the view of the waves. After all, there aren’t any waves up at the North Pole. Bring the family for a full-on holiday brunch menu along with the big guy in the red suit. Adults can purchase their own adult beverages, and there will be cookie decorating at around 11am when Santa will begin telling stories about the elves, Mrs. Claus, and those hyperactive reindeer. beachboardwalk.com
Breakfast with Santa—Dec. 14, 8:30–11:30am. Kennedy Hall, 2401 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. Now in its 33rd year, the breakfast includes eggs, sausage, fruit, beverages and all-you-can-eat pancakes. Kids can share holiday wishes, snap a photo, play games and make ornaments. recreationadvocates.org
Toy Trains Popup at MAH—Dec. 18–22 & Dec. 26–29. Museum of Art and History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. Now in its 20th year, this annual exhibit encourages toy train aficionados of all ages to go gaga over the models put on display when the Golden State Toy Train Operators stop by with their gargantuan collection of toy trains. Nobody doesn’t love toy trains, so this is a very, very popular event. santacruzmah.org
Winter Family Day—Dec. 20, noon–6pm. Museum of Art and History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. Free admission to everything on exhibit in our downtown cultural center. Winter art activities in the Garden Room plus hot cocoa, first come first served, from 1–3pm. santacruzmah.org
Winter on the Wharf—Dec. 20, 2–5pm. Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf.Stroll down the wharf and enjoy a holiday load of events at the beautifully decorated Wharf Commons (between Makai Island Kitchen and Marini’s Candies). Mail that letter to Santa in a special North Pole mailbox, enjoy balloons and face painting, and take free photos with Elsa and Anna from Frozen. santacruzca.gov
For those who have stood in a darkened venue and felt the ground shake from the low thunder of a Chapman Stick, chances are good it was Tony Levin who rumbled their bones. And for anyone who’s never been introduced to the Stick, prepare to be blown away by the sight and sound of this revolutionary stringed beast of an instrument.
On Dec. 9, the UCSC Music Center will host an exceptionally rare event: Levin and his Stick Men—fellow King Crimson alum Pat Mastelotto on drums and Markus Reuter on touch guitar—will take the Recital Hall stage to perform music from their new album, Brutal, as well as instrumentals from the Crimson catalog. And everyone will get a chance to meet the group in the lobby after the concert.
The show was originally scheduled in July, and tickets for that date will be honored. The lineup also features special guest We Are Ants To Them, featuring Andre Cholmondeley.
Decades into a career that has stretched from Peter Gabriel’s theatrical visions to King Crimson’s thundering precision, Levin continues to introduce the Stick to generations of progressive rock fans. It’s been a journey that has often led to Santa Cruz: at Palookaville with the California Guitar Trio, Moe’s Alley with Stick Men, and the Civic with King Crimson.
Levin recalls the professional pitfall that started him on that journey. Originally a classically trained musician, Levin played double bass in the Rochester Philharmonic until he joined Buddy Rich to play jazz on the road. When Rich changed his mind about having a new bass player, Levin found himself without a gig, and fatefully went to New York to find work.
“Had it not been for the kerfuffle with Buddy Rich, I might never have left Rochester,” Levin says. “So I accidentally became a studio musician early in my 20s.”
His classical training gave him technical skills that many rock musicians lacked, and his experience with jazz instilled a groove that separates great session work from merely competent playing.
A second life-changing moment came when Levin was called in to play on former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel’s first solo album. Gabriel found a bass player who met his artistic ambitions with technical precision, while Levin gained a creative partner who would challenge him for decades to come.
Significantly, those Gabriel sessions introduced Levin to Robert Fripp, the King Crimson guitarist whose complex compositions and innovative approach to rock music would provide the perfect showcase for Levin’s evolving musical voice.
The early days produced some legendary moments. Levin recalls with particular fondness a performance at the tiny Roxy Theater in Hollywood, where Gabriel performed with the enigmatic Fripp “trying to hide off the side of the stage.” Levin watched as Gabriel stepped off the stage, mid-song, to stroll across the audience’s cocktail tables.
“Young Peter,” Levin smiles, “always adventurous, and still surprising us with what he does on stage.”
When Levin officially joined King Crimson in 1981, he faced a crucial decision that would define his sound for the next four decades. Meeting the band’s uniquely gifted players—Bill Bruford, Adrian Belew and Fripp—Levin recognized that his traditional bass playing wouldn’t match their innovative approaches. He immediately reached for his Chapman Stick, with odd tuning and touch-style playing that seemed suited to the band’s unconventional musical language, and the Stick became Levin’s signature instrument.
“It’s a touch style instrument—a little bit more like a piano than like a guitar,” Levin explains. “So by touching the strings—with both hands—you’re playing the notes.
“Watching someone play seems pretty outlandish and weird,” Levin admits. “Frankly, if I see a video of myself, I’m like, what am I doing? But actually, when you’re playing it, it’s pretty simple.”
Today, Levin continues to tour with multiple projects, while developing new material with Stick Men. The power trio recently completed work on Brutal, a name that reflects Levin’s desire to explore the band’s harder-edged musical territory.
The title came about through the kind of playful collaboration that defines the band’s creative process: Levin wrote some aggressive riffs, then imagined drummer Pat Mastelotto sampling the word “brutal” spoken by bandmate Marcus Reuter with his German accent, creating an improvisational tool that could appear in any performance.
Asked if he has advice for young artists seeking a career in music, he defers to their knowledge of the world they are growing into.
“They don’t need me to tell them the challenges,” he says. “You have some good breaks, and you have some very bad breaks.”
A “bad break” for Levin came after playing on Pink Floyd’s Momentary Lapse of Reason album. He had to decline David Gilmour’s invitation to join the band because of scheduling conflicts with a Peter Gabriel tour.
Levin views such choices as simply part of the freelance musician’s life.
“In the end,” he says, “if you’re lucky enough to have your life’s work be making music, that’s a win. That’s a great, great blessing.”
The Stick Men concert is also an opportunity to experience the UCSC Recital Hall, which rarely presents outside artists. The acoustics are designed for voice, piano and violin recitals with no amplification, and over the years the hall has been customized for recitals of computer music and electronics.
One of Santa Cruz’s best-kept secrets, it features a surround-sound system, LED fixtures that can light an elegant piano recital one day and a rock show the next, and a beautiful setting with views of rolling fields and the Monterey Bay.
Stick Men play at 8pm on Dec. 9 at the UCSC Music Center Recital Hall, 402 McHenry Rd, Santa Cruz. $49. pulseproductions.net
Deafening silence. Original copy. Random order. Awfully good.
Friendly fire, passive aggressive, organized chaos, small crowd, clearly confused, bittersweet. And, yup, jumbo shrimp and Microsoft Works too.
What’s your favorite oxymoron? As you may have diagnosed, I have a few, but two top choices would be “classy dive bar” and “playing with your food.”
Those are on my mind of late because 1) Mission West (2405 Mission St., Santa Cruz) represents a recent revelation to me, and has fresh ownership coming in (while its outgoing owners develop a new downtown watering hole); and 2) relatively new d20 Pizza (1520 Mission St., Santa Cruz, in the former Burger) has a good thing going just down the block.
Mission West packs in the people with reasonable price points, well-curated spirits and an old-school simplicity.
Max Turigliatto and Grant Staudt helped convert it from a scrappier iteration of unapologetic diveyness—as The Watering Hole—to what it is today. Now they’re handing the reins to the owners of the building at the start of 2026.
Peter and Krista Cook of Lighthouse Realty are taking over, and have tapped longtime restaurant pros Amy Di Chiro (who’s worked at institutions like The Crepe Place, Aldo’s and Linda’s Seabreeze Cafe) and husband Nelson (Crepe Place, Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery, Riva Fish House) to direct operations.
BYO food is welcome at Mission West—as is food someone else brings, as was the case with fresh-cooked tamales from a roving vendor last Thursday—and one play there is d20.
Emphasis on “play”: While d20 does delicious Detroit-style sourdough pizza, it also stocks small plates, fresh-baked cookies, local craft beers, wine, sake-based cocktails and an ever-growing library of board games for play and purchase.
Founder and pizzaiolo Colin Freas loves the Chinese strategy game Go, but remains open to any and all contests, standup video games included (there are a few of those too).
“Santa Cruz has a creative, playful energy that we wanted to capture,” Freas says. “D20 Pizza is about rolling dice, sharing laughs, and building community one slice at a time.”
He adds some rhetorical questions, or at least they sound like that to me.
“Do you like pizza? Do you like games?” he asks. “Then you’ll probably like us. We’re here for the players, the locals, and anyone who wants a place to hang out late with great food.”
And hopefully morons who like oxymorons too.
BITS AND BOTS
Far West Fungi continues its weekly MycoMixers 2–5pm Thursdays at its Santa Cruz store/café (224 Laurel St.), featuring tastings and fun freebies,farwestfungi.com…Last week the Santa Cruz City Council ditched aspirations to build a temporary bicycle and pedestrian path over the rail bridge next to the closed Murray Street Bridge due to safety and funding concerns, which reaffirms the importance of supporting that neighborhood, which continues to offer free parking and a weekend ferry service crossing the river…Two bits of tech progress, ranging from inspiring to hmmmm: 1) Cellular Tracking Technologies has developed a tiny, solar-powered radio tag that weighs 60 milligrams and costs $200 to track individual monarch butterflies, which is cool; check out Project Monarch Science in your app store; 2) Lumia 2 is a $250 “smart” earring that self describes as world’s tiniest wearable, launching in 2026, and designed to track health and fitness stats, including blood flow to the brain…Food & Wine reports Samuel Adams has developed a 30% ABV beer called Utopias 2025, the world’s strongest, which debuted this month and goes for $240 per 24.5-ounce bottle…Novelist and screenwriter Kazuo Ishiguro, take us home with a touch of Thanksgiving-appropriate gratitude: “There was another life that I might have had, but I am having this one.”
Offering a 100% gluten-free menu featuring breads, cakes and other assorted pastries, Switch Bakery is currently transitioning from an online/farmer’s market business to a downtown Santa Cruz bistro-style storefront. Joshua Bradley and his wife, Amanda, are co-owners/co-chefs, initially inspired by Joshua’s diagnosis of Crohn’s disease 15 years ago.
Between medical and self-interventions with paramount focus on gut health, they removed gluten from their diet as a first step toward using food as medicine, and began feeding their family this way too. Wanting to bring this guiding ethos to others and gain a sense of community, they founded Switch Bakery three years ago.
Starting as a commercial kitchen serving markets across the Central Coast, the aptly named Switch is all about moving away from gluten with the intention to cater to specific diets, lifestyles and conditions.
Best breads are headlined by the rice flour-based focaccia with rosemary and garlic, as well as seeded and brown sandwich breads, baguettes and buns. The crowd-pleasing cakes are also a hit, like the tea cakes and carrot cardamom, with the most raved about being the “amazingly delicious, if you only had one food on a desert island” chocolate cake. The pastries are also popular picks, like the vegan hand pies with both sweet and savory options.
What lifestyle changes helped to inspire Switch?
JOSHUA BRADLEY: Living here has not only given me access to better health care, but also inspired a more active way of life. Through the process of dealing with my Crohn’s disease, I have become an athlete, which I was not before. For instance, I’ve done a couple triathlons as well as run my first marathon after my 50th birthday. In figuring out how to fuel my training while managing my disease, I learned more about using food as medicine to reduce inflammation and reboot biology. This approach is exactly what we bring to our business and products.
Why the evolution to a bistro?
It all goes back to everyone being able to eat together. If you have any type of allergy, condition or dietary restriction, the experience of eating out can often be very anxiety-provoking. The bistro is about creating a space that my family and I wish we would have had years ago, and I’m sure many others are in the same boat too.
The holidays are officially here—the time of year when festive food and drinks take center stage and suddenly “eating with the seasons” becomes code for peppermint everything. Normally, seasonal eating is a gold-star wellness strategy. But between the cookie platters, the clinking glasses and the late-night gatherings, even the most grounded among us can slip right back into familiar, not-so-helpful patterns.
Luckily, with a few intentional shifts, we can absolutely navigate the season with more ease, and awareness, while still enjoying our seasonal favorites.
Holiday temptations are hard to resist. The allure of short-term rewards overrides our long-term goals. From an evolutionary perspective it makes sense: When food was scarce, stocking up was a life skill. Today those same impulses feel just as relevant.
In other words, yesterday’s nuts and berries are today’s homemade fudge. And once you’ve had one delicious piece…why not two? Another rum-spiked eggnog sounds like just the thing. Until the morning after, when festivity and cheer turn to hangover regret.
Here are some strategies for staying aligned with your January health goals:
Prioritize Sleep: If you’re tired or hungry, your decision-making mojo goes right out the window. Keeping a steady sleep schedule is one of the most powerful tools you can use.
Don’t “Save Up” for Big Meals: Skipping breakfast or lunch before a party sets you up to overeat. Instead eat balanced meals that are low in sugar, high fiber with plenty of protein to avoid overindulging at parties or multicourse meals.
Avoid the Grab-and-Graze Trap: At parties with finger foods, make your selections, put them on a plate, and sit down to enjoy them. Grazing = mindless overeating.
Focus on Favorites: Pick your top one or two decadent items to end a meal. Start with veggie-forward options like crudités, fruit, hummus and olives, so you’re not arriving at the dessert table hungry.
At sit-down meals, begin with intention. Suggest a moment of gratitude or a thanksgiving prayer to help everyone settle in. Then follow this pattern which aligns with Harvard’s MyPlate suggestions, when filling your plate: half vegetable, a quarter protein and a quarter whole grains or starch.
Put your fork down between bites. Savor the flavors. Enjoy the experience.
Finally, hydrate proactively. Drink a glass of water before and between adult beverages. Soft drinks and juices are liquid sugar—try a DIY mocktail with one-third juice, two-thirds sparkling water and a squeeze of lime.
The holidays are meant for joy, celebration and, yes, a little indulgence. With presence and planning, you can enjoy it all and feel good in your body.
What will make your Thanksgiving different this year?
STEPHEN
It will be a potluck, so that’s the unknown. Usually the dessert is different, sometimes it’s not pumpkin pie. The kids will surprise us there. It’s not going to be boring, I know that.
Stephen Goldie, 73, Retired
PATRICK
We usually have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner—turkey with stuffing.
Patrick Goldie, 37, Santa Cruz High
KYLEIGH
This year I’m bringing stuffing and a dessert to a Friendsgiving, meeting up with people from high school for a potluck—something I’ve never done before.
Kyleigh Cawaling, 22, Watsonville Library
ALISON
My mom is making prime rib this year instead of turkey—that’s a little different. We like to rotate.
Alison Larkin, 41, Social Worker
ZOLI
We don’t do a turkey—we do smoked Cornish game hens and everybody gets their own bird. We brine the birds for a couple of days, then on Thanksgiving they cook in the smoker for most of the day, low and slow.
Zoli Uebele, 60, Property Manager
DAVE
We’ll have homemade cranberry relish and traditional Scottish clapshot—it’s made with parsnips and turnips and mashed potatoes. It has the spiciness of the turnips and not just the bland mashed potato.
It’s time to start thinking about Christmas dinner, and good wine to pair with that festive meal.
Carignane holds its own with rich turkey and duck; it’s also perfect with roasted pork and various beef dishes. And the varietal makes a nice change from other red wines.
Martin Ranch Winery’s 2020 Carignane ($40)—with grapes from Victoria Denice Vineyard in the Santa...
In the past, visitors at Seacliff State Beach could gaze upon the S.S. Palo Alto, the famed concrete ship at the end of the equally famous wharf.
Relentless waves and occasional storms over time have destroyed the wharf, and the ship remains a local landmark despite being pounded into little more than a pile of rubble.
But one thing has not...
We’re two weeks into the Santa Cruz Gives fundraising event, which runs until Dec. 31. First, Good Times writer DNA shares why he supports Save Our Shores. Following that, other nonprofits share their “elevator pitch” for what they plan to do with the money they raise. To donate to any of the 72 participating nonprofits, visit santacruzgives.org.
Since its grassroots...
Stick Men bring their intense blend of Chapman Stick, guitar, and drums to UCSC, performing new music and King Crimson classics. UCSC Music Center Recital Hall, Dec. 9 at 8pm
